The jack snipe or jacksnipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) is a small stocky wader. It is the smallest snipe, and the only member of the genus Lymnocryptes. Features such as its sternum and its continuous 'bobbing up and down' make it quite distinct from other snipes or woodcocks. The jack snipe is now the only species placed in the genus Lymnocryptes that was introduced in 1826 by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie. The species is considered to be monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.

The common name has been said to come from the Welsh word for a snipe, giach (pronounced with a hard g), There is also a record from Colombia in South America.

Behaviour

thumb|Jack snipe egg

Jack snipes can be secretive in their non-breeding areas and are difficult to observe, being well camouflaged in their habitat. Consequently, birdwatchers have developed a specialised technique for finding them. This involves walking through its marshy habitat until a bird is disturbed and flies up. Jack snipes will squat down and not flush from cover until an intruder is quite close.

  • Ageing and sexing (PDF; 0.57 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze
  • Feathers of jack snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) at Ornithos.de